VALEO SCHALTER UND SENSOREN GMBH

Their core work

Valeo Schalter und Sensoren is the sensors and switches division of Valeo, a major Tier-1 automotive supplier. They develop advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), in-cabin driver monitoring technologies, and automotive-grade sensors including radar, camera systems, and V2X communication modules. In H2020 projects, they contribute industrial-scale sensor hardware, embedded AI for perception tasks, and validation expertise for automated driving — bridging the gap between research prototypes and series-production automotive components.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

Between 2016 and 2019, Valeo's H2020 work centered on classical ADAS and driver monitoring — detecting drowsiness, stress, and inattention, plus vision-based driver assistance and system validation. From 2018 onward, the focus shifted decisively toward the hardware and connectivity layer: 5G-enabled V2X communication, RF semiconductor technologies (FDSOI, RFSOI), neuromorphic computing chips, and edge AI inference. This mirrors the broader automotive industry transition from software-defined ADAS features toward the underlying silicon and communication infrastructure needed for full vehicle autonomy.

Valeo is moving deeper into the hardware stack — custom chips, neuromorphic computing, and RF semiconductor technology — positioning for the era when automated driving demands purpose-built silicon rather than general-purpose processors.

How they like to work

Valeo never coordinates H2020 projects but consistently participates in large consortia — 275 unique partners across 28 countries indicates they join broadly rather than leading tightly. Their two third-party roles (ADASANDME, Hi-Drive) suggest they sometimes contribute specific components or test capabilities without full consortium membership. This is typical of a large industrial company that uses EU projects to validate and de-risk technologies close to their product roadmap, making them a reliable but scope-focused partner.

With 275 unique consortium partners spanning 28 countries, Valeo has one of the broadest collaboration networks among automotive suppliers in H2020. Their partnerships span both the ECSEL/semiconductor ecosystem (BEYOND5, ANDANTE, TEMPO) and the transport/mobility corridor (5G-MOBIX, Hi-Drive), giving them connections across two distinct research communities.

What sets them apart

Valeo occupies a rare position as a Tier-1 automotive supplier that engages across the full technology stack — from in-cabin driver monitoring and computer vision down to RF semiconductor design and neuromorphic chip architectures. Unlike pure semiconductor companies or pure automotive integrators, they bring the perspective of a volume manufacturer who must turn research into millions of production units. For consortium builders, this means access to real-world automotive validation infrastructure and a direct path from prototype to series production.

Highlights from their portfolio

• 5G-MOBIX
  Their largest funded project (EUR 936,696), focused on cross-border 5G corridors for connected automated mobility — a flagship EU initiative with high visibility.
• BEYOND5
  Positioned Valeo at the intersection of RF semiconductor supply chain sovereignty and automotive radar/V2X, with EUR 505,074 in funding for RFSOI technology development.
• TEMPO
  Signals a forward-looking bet on neuromorphic computing hardware (spiking neural networks, MRAM) — unusual for an automotive supplier and indicative of long-term R&D strategy.